Hair waving apparatus



26, 1938. R. M. KEELE- w HAIR WAVING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1934 FFIE l 'NVEUTOR. 26405 M. ,z ee/e BY W Z ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE United States Appliance Corporation,

San

Francisco, Call!" a corporation of California Application October 8, 1934, Serial No. 747,270

8 Claims.

use of steam, the temperature to which the hair is heated is definitely limited. Steam machines such as have been used in the past have not been popular, for the reason that the devices utilized for applying the steam to the wound hair have been cumbersome, and it has been diflicult, if not impossible, to treat a complete head of hair in one steaming operation. A further disadvantage with such machines has been that steam condensate has not been properly taken into account, so that the'heating effect has been insufilcient to produce the desired wave, or has not been uniform with respect to difierent curlers, or an excessive amount of hot steam condensate has been permitted to drain upon the scalp. Difliculty has also been experienced in securing proper distribution of steam to a plurality of devices upon the head, thus causing the time required for the complete waving of a head of hair to be unduly extended because of the necessity of carrying on successive heating operations upon separate groups of waving devices, in place of supplying a complete set of waving devices with steam in one operation. 4 I

It is an object of the invention to provide a permanent hair waving machine utilizing steam as a source of heat, which will overcome the above difficulties and which will make possible the heating of an entire head of hairby steam in a single operation, in a simple and effective manner, without discomfort to the subject. In connection with the machine described herein, it is preferable to utilize hair waving devices of the type disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 1,984,585, granted December 18, 1935, which are a marked improvement over the cumbersome forms of stea boxes utilized in the past.

Further objects of the invention will appear.

Fig. 2 is 'a side elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

I Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the lines 33 of Fig. 1.

The machine as illustrated in the drawing consists of a steam conduit H, which is preferably loop-shaped or substantially circular, as illustrated 'in Fig. 1. The rear side of this loop has a short pipe connection I2 to the vaporizing chamber of a steam boiler 53. The boiler in turn may be supported by a suitable adjustable and portable standard It. While the plane of the loop formed by conduit H is generally horizontal, it is preferably inclined at a slight-angle,

as shown in Fig. 2, so that steam condensate can drain back through the pipe connection [2 into the vaporizing chamber, and to facilitate distribution of steam through further elements to be presently described. Heat insulation 15 is preferably provided to minimize dissipation of heat.

Various types of boilers can be utilized with the machine, and therefore the particular boiler illustrated need not be described in detail. In general, it should include means for superheating the steam to a suitabledegree before its discharge, and for entraining water, whereby the steam is relatively dry. Where the pipe I2 communicates with the vaporizing chamber, a suitable valve is preferably provided, to be operated by handle it. This valve is arranged to have two operating positions, in one, of which the vaporizing chamber is placed in communication with both pipe l2 and an auxiliary steam exhaust conduit I1, and in the other position of which the auxiliary conduit I? is closed so that all steam is discharged through pipe l2 and into the conduit Ii.

In order to simultaneously apply the steam to a plurality of hair waving devices, flexible tubes l8, formed of a suitable material such as resilient vulcanized rubber, communicate at circumferentially spaced points with the conduit ll For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the end portion I9 of each rubber tube I8 is enlarged and is slipped over a stub tube 2|,which in turn communicates with conduit H. -The tapered nature of the enlarged resilient rubber portion l9 tends to prevent kinking of the tube [8, such as would obstruct the same for flow of steam. All of these tubes are preferably of the same length, toafford paths of equal flow resistancer The free endof each of the tubes l8 can'ies a steam condensate trap 22, in conjunction with means for coupling the same to a hair waving device. The form of steam condensate trap illustrated consists of -a hollow body formed of two separable parts 23 and 24. These parts may be made of a suitable material, such as a phenolic condensate product, and are shown connected together by threads 26. One end of this body has an extension tube 21 over which the free end of tube i3 is engaged. Extending into the other end of the body there is a tube 28, the outer end portion 28 of which forms a means for detachably coupling to the steam jacket 3| of a laair waving Surrounding the inner portion of tube device. 28 there is a substantial space or pocket 32 for the accumulation of steam condensate. Both theinner and outer ends .of when are terminated or cut off on a bias, as indicated at 33' and 34,

since this construction has been found desirable in draining away condensate, thus avoiding blocking of the ends of the tube 28 with drops of water. At least a part of the body 23 can be enclosed by a shield or guard 35, formed of heat 'insulating material, to facilitate handling without burning the fingers of the operator.

In the generally upright position of the steam condensate trap shown in Fig. 3, which corre- -25 sponds to the position occupied during a waving operation, condensate is trapped and retained immediatelybefore delivery of the steam to the associated hair waving device. However, when the steam trap is inverted, accumulated con- 'densate is caused to drain back through body 24 and rubber tube l8, and in such position no additional condensate is retained. This characteristic is utilized to advantage by affording a means above the steam conduit ii, for supporting the steam traps in an inverted position, whereby condensate is drained'back through tubes I8 to con- ,duit ii, and from thence drained back into the 1 vaporizing chamber of the boiler. As illustrated, the supporting means consists of a relatively flat,

40 ribbon-like member 36, which is looped-shaped and which is disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of conduit ll. As representative of suitable means for carrying member 36, its rear end is shown attached to the exhaust conduit l1, and its forward end is shown attached to the upper end of a spacing standard 33. A plurality of 'circumferentially spaced notches 39 are provided in member 36, into which the neck'portions 40 of the steam traps may be engaged. In Fig. 2 one of the steam traps is shown engaged with member 36, so that it is supported'in an elevated or out-of-the-way position with the tube l8 arrangedfor downward drainage of condensate into the conduit I l.

'Operation of the device is as follows:-The operator first prepares the head of hair by applying protectors to-the hair strands and by wrapping the strands upon suitable curlersr as for example by the procedure outlined in said 0 Patent No. 1 .984,585. After steam jackets have been applied over the curlers, the operator is ready for the steaming operation. While the head of hair is being prepared, the steam traps are being supported in an inverted position by 5 members 36, and the boiler has been in operation with the valve handle 16 turned to such a position as to cause conduit l'l to be closed, with aflow of. steam through tubes I3 and the steam traps. Thus, by the time the operator desires to 7o commence the waving operation, the parts of the apparatus which the steam 'must traverse have been thoroughly heated. The operator now places the subject in substantially the position shown in Fig. 2, and valve handle I6 is then 75 turned to a position to place exhaust conduit the hair waving devices have been properly coupled to steam condensate traps, valve handle [6 is again turned to close the exhaust conduit 11, thus causing all of the steam to be delivered to conduit I l and from thence through the tubes l8 and the steam condensate traps to the hair waving devices. The heating period is extended for a time dependent upon the type'of hair being 5 waved, upon the nature of the wrap, and upon theresults desired by the operator. At the end of the heating operation, valve member l6is again turned to-exhaust steam intoth'e conduit I1, and ,then the steam condensate traps are disconnected from the hair waving devices and re-engaged with.the supporting members 36, to cause any accumulated condensate to immediately drain back into the vaporizing chamber.

Itis evident that the present invention affords many advantageous features not found in permanent waving machines in the past which utilize steam as a source of-heat. The catching of condensate in the traps immediately before delivery of steam into the hair waving devices makes for a minimum delivery of condensate to these devices, and also makes for more effective heating with a minimum amount of conden sate accumulating in the devices themselves. The

provision whereby the steam condensate, traps are held in an inverted position when.not in use, serves to effectively handle'the accumulated condensate after a waving operation, and also.

insures traps which are l in proper condition to catch and retain condensate at the commencement of a waving operation. The arrangement of conduit II,v together with the formation of the steam condensate traps, also insures a proper distribution of steam to the various hair waving devices, without utilizing steam pressures materially above atmospheric, and with relatively short rubber tubes l8. Thus, relatively uniform heating is secured' with respect to the several hair waving devices, with the production of relatively uniform waves over the head. Comfort of the subject is promoted, because of the lesser amount of condensate accumulated with- I in the hair waving devices, and because of the manner in which steam is distributed from the loop-shaped conduit H, which precludes contact of the subject with hot metal surfaces.

I claim:

1. In permanent hair iwaving' apparatus, a looped steam conducting conduit adapted to overhe and generally embrace the head, a steam admission passage communicating with the rear end of the loop, the plane of the loop -being generally horizontal but inclined upwardly from the rear end of the same for drainage of condensate back through said passage, aplurality of flexible tubes communicating at spaced points with said conduit, and coupling means carried by the free endsof the tubes for attaching the same to waving devices. I 1

2. In, permanent hair waving apparatus, a steam conducting manifold conduit, a plurality of flexible tubes communicating at spaced points with said conduit, steam traps carried by the free end of each of said tubes, coupling means in conjunction with said steam traps for'attaching the same to waving devices, and means carried above said conduit for supporting said steam traps in an inverted position when not attached to said wavingdevices, said steam traps being constructed so as to drain condensate back into said conduit when said steam traps are supported in said inverted position.

3. In permanent hair waving apparatus, a looped steam conducting conduit adapted to overlie the head, a steam admission passage communicating with the rear end of the loop, a

plurality of flexible tubes communicating at spaced points with said conduit, steam traps carried by the free ends of said tubes, coupling means associated with said steam traps whereby attachment can be made to waving devices to permit flow of steam from said conduit through said tubes and said steam traps to the waving devices, with the steam traps in generally upright position, and means positioned at an elevation above said loop for supporting said steam traps in an inverted position, said steam traps being constructed so as to drain condensate back into said steam conduit when said steam traps are supported in said inverted position.

4. In permanent hair waving apparatus, a loopshapcd steam conducting conduit adapted to generally embrace and overlie a head of hair to be waved, a steam admission passage communicating with the rear end of the loop, the plane of the loop being generally horizontal but inclined upwardly from the rear end of the same for drainmovably retain and support said steam condensate traps in 'ani'nverted position, said steam condensate traps when in said inverted position serving to drain condensate back into said loopshaped conduit, said last means comprising a loop-shaped structure extending substantially parallel to the loop-shaped conduit. I 5. In permanent hair waving apparatus wherein steam is applied to hair waving devices through flexible tubes, a steam trap comprising a hollow body, one end of said body having provision for attachment to an aforesaid flexible tube, a steam discharge tube extending into the other end of said body, there being a space about the inner end of said tube'for accumulation of condensate, and a heat insulating guard surrounding the exterior of the body.

6. In permanent hair waving apparatus wherein steam is applied to hair waving devices through flexible tubes, a steam trap comprising a hollow body, one end of said body having provision for connecting the same to an aforesaid tube, a steam discharge tube extending into the other end of the body, there being a space about the inner portion of said discharge tube for accumulation of condensates, the inner end of said tube terminating in a plane at an angle to a plane normal to the axis of the discharge tube.

7. 'In permanent hair waving apparatus, a looped steam conducting conduit adapted to overlie the head, a steam admission passage communicating with the rear end of the loop, the. plane of the loop being generally horizontal but slightly inclined upwardly towards the forward end of the loop, a plurality of flexible tubes communicating at spaced points with said conduit, coupling means'carried by the free ends of the tubes for attaching the same to waving devices, and means overlying said conduit serving to support said coupling -means in' an out-of-the-way position when not attached to said waving devices, said last means being located at an elevation with respect to said conduit suflicient to extend said flexible tubes for gravity drainage of condensate from the coupling means to said conduit.

8. In permanent hair waving apparatus, a steam conducting conduit adapted to overlie the head, a plurality of flexible tubes communicating at spaced .points with said conduit, steam traps carried by the free ends of each of said tubes, coupling means in conjunction with said steam traps for attaching the same to waving devices, and.means carried above said conduit for supporting said steam traps in an inverted position when not attached to said waving devices, said steam traps being constructed so as to drain condensate back into said conduit when said steam traps are supported in said inverted position, said supporting means being located at an elevation with respect to said conduit suflicient to extend said flexible tubes for gravity drainage of condensate from said traps to said conduit.

RALPH M. KEELE. 

